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God’s Work Among People

It is no doubt that God works in the lives of people. Myself included, I’ve seen his transformative power in the lives of countless people.

He works supernaturally. Some people confuse supernatural for spectacular. The supernatural is not always spectacular. ‘God’s work’ in people’s lives may not always be spectacular but it doesn’t mean it isn’t supernatural.

How He works transcends our complete understanding. We see the evidence of His work but we don’t fully understand how He brings it about. He is God. He would never be God if we had Him completely figured out.

By His grace, His kindness we get to know Him, partially. Even so, our partial knowledge of Him and His ways still perplexes, amazes and scares me (us). His goodwill toward me (us) is in spite of myself (us).

I’m glad God’s work in my life is based on how good or amazing I am, because I’m neither. I’m flawed, but God still works in and through my life. He places treasure in me (us)and entrusts me to get it to to other people He loves just as much.

The truest form of God’s work among men in this age (and all ages) is His uniform ability to do life-changing work with really stupid, incomplete, and terribly fallible vessels (e.g. us, humans). — John Saddington (in “The 4th In”)

How humbling: the thought that God does His supernatural work not only in us, but through us (me!). Foolish me, foolish we is and can be an instrument of God’s work in the lives of others.

“Instrument” because an instrument is at the mercy of the one who holds and uses it. The One who wields it can do as He may, to to build whatever at His pleasure. Whatever, this Wielder, wields the result is glorious. It is not the instrument that brings it about, but God, who Holds it.

25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world,things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. — 1 Corinthians 1:25–29 (NLT).

What a mystery! God could be working through the words I write, I utter. That through my interactions with people He speaks to them. That He could be changing people’s destinies through actions He inspires me (us) to.

It sounds foolish that by certain actions of kindness through us, God’s love can permeate and nourish the life and love-famished. The skeptics, downtrodden and estranged. Mystery! Privilege! Supernatural. Grace!

God, I’m foolish. An instrument. Thanks for the privilege to be used of you. It is not me, but You who does the work. Thank you for the privilege to be a part of it. Here I am; foolish me. Use me. Amen.